New Delhi, September 2: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markven Mullin announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested 2,197 migrants across New York State during an operation conducted from late July to the end of August.
During a press conference held in New York City on Tuesday, Mullin stated that “Operation Rotten Apple” accomplished what the so-called “sanctuary” leaders of New York City and State refused to do. He claimed that the operation made the state safer.
Mullin noted that there was no cooperation from New York Mayor Joharan Mamdani or Governor Kathy Hochul during the operation. He said, “During this operation, we arrested murderers, sexual assault suspects, child sex offenders, drug traffickers, and individuals involved in violent crimes.”
White House border czar Tom Homan remarked that Democratic leaders in New York and elsewhere talk about public safety but do not allow immigration law enforcement officers to detain criminals in jails. Instead, such individuals are released.
On the other hand, Governor Kathy Hochul challenged the statements made by DHS officials. In a separate press conference, she stated, “We are not a sanctuary state for criminals.” She accused the administration of misleading the public.
Hochul emphasized her message to the President: do not undermine our public safety efforts. Do not cut funding for police departments that prevent terrorist attacks. Do not politicize people’s lives.
She also mentioned that the federal government owes New York State $8.7 million, which should be released. “If you do not release anti-terrorism funding, you are doing injustice to all the families who lost loved ones in the September 11 attacks,” she said.
Hochul alleged that the DHS agency, created after 9/11, is withholding nearly 40 percent of New York State’s anti-terrorism funding.
Mayor Joharan Mamdani stated that if an individual commits a serious crime, the city administration will coordinate with federal agencies regarding that case. He added that while they will certainly stay in contact with federal authorities, he criticized ICE’s actions, arguing that the agency is trying to portray being a migrant as a crime.
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